HARINGEY BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB
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HARINGEY BOROUGH
FOOTBALL CLUB
FOUNDED 1907 (AS TUFNELL PARK F.C)
GROUND: CVS VAN HIRE STADIUM, COLES
PARK, WHITE HART LANE,
LONDON, N17 7JP
HARINGEY BOROUGH v MERSTHAM
(The Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division)
SATURDAY 26 TH FEBRUARY 2022 - 3.00pm
Issue 2643
HARINGEY BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB
COLES PARK, WHITE HART LANE, LONDON, N17 7JP
CLUB WEBSITE: www.haringeyboroughfc.net
FOUNDED 1907: Affiliated to the London Football Association
PERSONS OF SIGNIFICANT INTEREST: Aki ACHILLEA
STADIUM MANAGER: Tom LOIZOU Telephone: 07956 284480
FOOTBALL SECRETARY: John BACON Telephone: 01707 873187
EMAIL: baconjw@hotmail.com
HARINGEY BOROUGH FC LTD: Company Reg. No. 07237358
Reg. Office: 35-37 Station Road, Chingford, London E4 7BJ
HONOURS BOARD
TUFNELL PARK:- FA Amateur Cup - finalists 1919/20; semi - finalists 1911/12 & 1913/14
Spartan League runners up 1910/11
London Senior Cup winners 1912/13 & 1923/24
Athenian League winners 1913/14
Middlesex Charity Cup winners 1943/44
EDMONTON:- Delphian League Emergency Competition winners 1962/63
Athenian League Division 2 Cup winners 1967/68 and 1968/69
Athenian League Division 2 runners up 1969/70
WOOD GREEN TOWN:- London Junior Cup runners up 1907/08
London League Division 1(B) winners 1909/10
Spartan League Division 1 runners up 1937/38
Middlesex Senior League winners 1940/41
HARINGEY BOROUGH:- London Senior Cup winners 1990/91
Spartan League Cup runners up 1990/91
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Cup runners up 1997/98
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League (Under 18) Nemean Div’n
Champions 2004/05 & 2009/10
Delphian Division Champions 2017/18
Colwyn Youth Cup (Under 18) winners 2004/05, runners-up 2008/09
Harrow Youth League (Under 16) Division 1 Champions & League Cup
runners up 2006/07
London County Cup (Under 17) runners up 2007/08
Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 runners up 2007/08
Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 Cup winners 2007/08
Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy winners 2011/12
Essex Senior League runners up 2013/14 Champions 2014/15
Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy runners up 2013/14
Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League (Under 18) Delphian Division
Champions 2017/18
Bostik League North Division Play-Off winners 2017/18
HARINGEY BOROUGH Eastern Region League Division 2 runners up 1999/2000
WOMEN:- Eastern Region League Division 1 runners up 2001/02
Eastern Region League Plate winners 2001/02
Eastern Region League 5-a-side-Champions 2002 & 2003
Eastern Region League Cup runners up 2005/06
Eastern Region League Division 1 (South) runners up 2011/12
Eastern Region League Premier Division Champions 2016/17
Eastern Region League Cup winners 2016/17
HARINGEY BOROUGH FC - A BRIEF HISTORY IIt was not until 1970 that a team competed under the name of Haringey Borough when WOOD GREEN TOWN who had played at Coles Park since 1930 changed their name to Haringey Borough. A merger with EDMONTON FC resulted in a brief change of name to Edmonton & Haringey FC until 1976 when the present name was re-adopted. The merged Club played in the Athenian League until it ceased to operate at the end of the 1983/84 season and then played for 4 seasons in Division 2 North of the Isthmian League. After a period of instability culminating ia year in the wilderness away from Senior football in 1988/89 they were admitted to the Spartan League in 1989/90 retaining Premier Division membership throughout until the South Midlands League merger in season 1997/98 when they finished 7th.in the Premier Division South to secure membership of the new “combined” Premier Division for 1998/99 as well as being runners up in the League’s Premier Division Cup. In 2004 after an unsuccessful attempt to move the Club to the nearby New River Sports stadium and a walk out of the existing Committee Aki Achillea who had commenced his association with the Club in 1995 was appointed to lead the Club forward and together with George Kilikita and Secretary John Bacon the club sought to engage more with the local community and tap into the talent locally. The senior men’s team having been relegated to Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League in 2006/7 bounced back with promotion at the very first attempt and a fine season ended with both promotion and the winning of the Division One Cup. Back in the Premier Division for the season 2008/09 the Club again quickly found itself among the relegation strugglers leading to the appointment of the current Manager – the vastly experienced Tom Loizou. Tom and his excellent loyal team of coaching staff have been instrumental in turning around the Club’s fortunes in the intervening years. In 2011/12 a highest ever 5th place was achieved and the League Challenge Trophy won. After massive stadium improvements in the close season with the erection of a new Clubhouse and new dressing rooms hopes were high for 2012/13 but the poor weather and the problematic pitch led to a massive fixture backlog which negated any chance of a serious challenge for honours and the Club finished 9th. In 2013/14 the Club’s challenge for promotion took place in the Essex Senior League following a sideways switch imposed by the FA. The Club had what was then its most successful season ever finishing runners up by just a solitary point to Great Wakering Rovers and ended the season with 20 wins and one draw from the final 21 League games. The League title was nevertheless secured at the second attempt in 2014/15 with a haul of 103 points from 38 games and with it promotion to Step 4 in which we were allocated to the Ryman League Division One North. The first season at the higher level was a baptism of fire when only 7 points were garnered from the first 17 games but by the close of the season a further 43 points had been amassed from the remaining 29 games and the Club finished in a comfortable 15th place. The first season in the FA Trophy produced two fine victories before a replay loss to Hitchin Town of the Evostik South Premier Division. The summer of 2016 saw yet further investment in the close season in the form of a 3G synthetic main pitch and added improvements to the perimeter, the spectator rails and the floodlights and has created a facility of which the Club can be proud; and has afforded a greater opportunity for the Club to move forward in all aspects. The first team in 2016/17 improved markedly on the previous season and had an excellent all round campaign although rather unfortunate not to finish the season on a high having ended with the “double heartbreak” of missing out on promotion through a 4-5 closely fought semi final play-off defeat at Maldon & Tiptree FC after finishing 5th in the Division and an odd goal 2-3 London Senior Cup semi-final loss at Metropolitan Police. But 2017/18 was to be the Club’s best ever and culminated in promotion to Step 3 via the play-off route with a 3-1 win over Canvey Island after automatic promotion had been missed by just two points. And in FA Competitions the 4th and final round of the Qualifying rounds for the FA Cup was reached, although that ended in disappointment with a 2-4 home defeat by Heybridge Swifts who then enjoyed a visit to Exeter City in the First Round Proper. In the FA Trophy we went right through the qualifying campaign and were lucky enough to draw Leyton Orient in the First Round Proper which brought a record attendance of 1,133 to Coles Park and “The O’s” left mightily relieved at having come back to win 2-1 after going a goal down in the fifth minute. 2018/19 was another great but ultimately disappointing season season with an FA Cup run which took us into the First Round Proper
where it was ended rather cruelly by AFC Wimbledon’s last minute goal at Coles Park in front of a record crowd of 2,710. Having led the Premier Division for several weeks in mid-season it was somewhat surprising that we dropped from 2nd to 3rd on the last day of the season after a poor late run but still enjoyed home advantage in the Play-Off Semi-final in which a 45 minute second half onslaught on the Tonbridge Angels goal produced only one goal in response to the two they had scored before the interval. The 2019/20 season’s early termination was less of a disappointment for us than for most other Isthmian Premier Division Clubs as we were marooned in mid-table with no realistic prospect of entering either the promotion or relegation zones. The highlight of the season should have been the visit of National League Yeovil Town in the Final Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup but, as is well known, appalling crowd behaviour brought that game to an early end and the second game seemed something of an anti-climax. In fact, without making excuses, that unpleasant episode seems to have adversely affected our players for some time for, whereas we had been well in the promotion places mix, thereafter we just drifted downwards The early termination of League Fixtures for 2020/21 was more of a blow than was the previous seasons voiding as we were well placed to make a charge towards a play-off place at least. However the Buildbase FA Trophy continued and we enjoyed a run through to the 4th Round Proper when Oxford City of the National League South finally eliminated us 4-2 after we had been two up; en route we had overcome Faversham Town, Bishops Stortford, Eastbourne Borough and Dartford, the last two also being National League South Clubs. The London Senior Cup also carried on and due to withdrawals, we reached the quarter-final without playing a game but lost a penalty shoot out to Hanwell Town after a 2-2 draw. 2016/17 saw the introduction of a much needed “second” team, formed to compete in the Ryman Development League it being basically intended for Under 21 players but with the facility to include up to 4 older players in every squad. The team held their own comfortably in the League finishing a very creditable 6th place and the benefits of the Club’s participation were all too evident with the introduction of a number of players into the first team squad throughout the season and the opportunity for first team squad players to keep fresh and those who were returning from injury had a platform to get fit. Thereby proving the benefits of having such a side. The age restriction was amended to Under 23 for 2017/18 and the team has always been near the top of the table and continued to do well in the following seasons Youth teams were commenced and run successfully for many years at various age levels with some considerable success particularly at the older age groups including progress into the 2nd round proper of the FA Youth Cup in 2006/07. They were Divisional winners of the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League in 2004/05 (and also winners of the League’s Colwyn Cup competition) and 2009/10. After a few seasons absence from Youth football the Under 18s rejoined the Southern Counties competition in 2017/18, winning its Divisional Championship at the first attempt. This will again provide a pathway for talented local boys to make their way into the first team squad and ultimately the first team itself. The Women’s Team was formed in 1999 and competed in the Eastern Region Womens League winning promotion in its first season and then to its Premier Division for 2002/03; and there they have remained save for two seasons, the first being in 2011/12 following relegation to Division 1 from which they made an immediate Premier Division return as runners-up . Steady improvement began and we were extremely fortunate to have been approached midway through the 2014/15 season by renowned coach and former professional footballer Steve Browne who at the time was involved in the highly successful S & T Academy Girls football. Steve was duly appointed Manager and preserved the Women’s Premier Division status. In 2015/16 a mid table position was easily secured from an uneven campaign which included convincing away wins at the top 2 Clubs and some surprisingly disappointing performances against lower placed teams. In 2017/18, by Christmas the team were runaway League leaders only to be thrown off course by the tragic early death of Steve on New Years Day but after a shaky period the Women re-asserted themselves to win the League Championship on the last day of the season and with it, promotion to the Women’s Premier League and followed that up by adding the League Cup with a 5-1 win over Cambridge City to complete the double which was a a fitting, lasting legacy for their Manager. The loss of many of the successful squad, several to American University Scholarships, proved too much of a handicap at the higher level and relegation back to the Eastern Regional League was an unsurprising outcome. Now under the stewardship of Bobby Cato significant steps forward seem certain and promotion is again a realistic prospect. The foundations are in place for an eventual assault on the title to secure a National League place for the
men’s senior side and an exciting season is in prospect in which a challenge for at least a Play-off position is a realistic prospect as we pursue our ambition to achieve promotion to the National League should be within the capabilities of our talented squad. The facilities and structures are in place for all the Club’s teams to improve and enhance on recent successes. The Directors and Committee of HARINGEY BOROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB take pleasure in extending a warm welcome to all visitors to Coles Park and hope that they will make use of the bar and refreshment facilities available to increase their enjoyment of the occasion. However, the Club reserves the right to refuse admission to any person and the right to remain within the ground is conditional upon compliance with directions given by Club Officials. Spectators and other visitors must not encroach upon the playing area, deface or damage Club premises or equipment, take any glasses, alcohol or bottles outside of the Clubhouse or use obscene or insulting language or gestures (and especially any of a racist nature). The Club cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage howsoever caused or arising to property of any or every kind brought into the ground including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, motor vehicles or anything therein or thereon or items left in changing rooms
HISTORY OF MERSTHAM FC In the early years of Merstham FC, matches were played on a pitch situated at the old Merstham Lime Works known as Limeworks Meadow which was accessed via Jolliffe Road, Lime Works Road or Quarry Dean Lane. At first changing facilities were non-existent and the players had to make do with the hedgerows to shield their modesty. After some time, accommodation was made available at the Jolliffe Arms (now the Vojan Indian Restaurant). The level of football played in the first five years is unclear. However by 1897 the club were founder members of the Redhill & District League although the Surrey Mirror reports that they ‘opened their first season with a friendly match against Redhill Gas Works’ on Saturday 29th October 1904 having been elected as an affiliate of the Surrey FA in the previous September; so this may only relate to their first match as members of the Surrey FA. It is certain though that they were playing in the Redhill & District League Division Two in the 1905/06 season along with, amongst others, Redhill Gas Works, Holmethorpe, Whyteleafe and Bletchingley. It was not until the early 1920s that the club moved to its present location in Albury Road, although it is also believed that for a period of time around 1911, under the Presidency of Reverend Reginald Woodhouse, the club occupied a ground at ‘The Weir’ adjacent to the existing Merstham Cricket Club ground. The club’s first major success was winning the league in 1927 and in 1930 added the East Surrey Junior Cup to their trophy cabinet. 1935 and 1936 saw Merstham record a remarkable double by winning the Redhill League Premier Division in consecutive years; a record later repeated in the post World War II years of 1950 and 1951. It was at this time that the decision to apply for intermediate status was taken and Merstham FC was duly accepted into the Eastern Section of the Surrey Intermediate League. The move to the new league could hardly have paid more rapidly a reward, for in the 1952-53 season the club proved their readiness for the test by claiming the title at their first attempt. Major achievements were also in progress off the field and in 1960, through the devotion and hard work of club officials and members, in partnership with the local authority, the changing room and tearoom were constructed and training lights were erected. This was followed some years later in 1974 by the construction of a small stand with a modest capacity of some 90 people. Although unable to win the league again, Merstham continued to play in the Surrey Intermediate League until they gained senior status in 1964 and joined the Surrey Senior League. In a fourteen year phase in the Surrey Senior League Merstham managed to win the title only once in the 1971/72 season. In 1978 they again switched leagues joining the London Spartan League and attaining a creditable third in their first two seasons. Those first two seasons proved to be amongst the club’s best as in addition to their pleasing league positions they claimed the Surrey Senior Charity Cup and the London Spartan League Challenge Cup in the first season, adding the East Surrey Charities Cup the following year. By the 1984/85 season Merstham had decided that the travelling involved in the Spartan League was proving too much on the club’s resources and they applied to join the Combined Counties League, partly reformed from the Surrey Senior League. This new league encompassed teams from Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and Middlesex. 1984 also saw the completion of the new clubhouse replacing the portable shelter that had been in use since 1975. Merstham were runners-up in the Combined Counties League in the 1987/88 season and the following year proved to be the club’s best season in senior football by reaching the fourth round of the FA Vase losing, to Billericay Town at home 2-3 after throwing away a 2-0 lead. They then won the Dan Air Class Elite Cup beating local rivals Chipstead 2-1 after extra time. This came as some consolation as Chipstead had just pipped Merstham to the league title by a single point. The 1990/91 season saw the erection of floodlights at the Weldon Way ground and an official ‘Floodlight Opener’ against Crystal Palace whose side included the current Middlesbrough United Manager Gareth Southgate. Merstham’s defence of the League Cup saw them again reach the final where this time they had to settle for the runners-up spot as Frimley Green defeated a tired Merstham side 1-0, after extra time, in a replay. The next few seasons saw Merstham generally settle for mid-table anonymity; 1991/92 (14th) 1992/93 (4th), 1993/94 (17th), and 1994/95 (15th).
The 1995/96 season brought some success to Merstham, finishing fourth in the League, but it was the reserves that brought the silverware home in the form of the Reserve League Challenge Cup, defeating Godalming at Ashford Town. The FA Cup of 1996/97 saw, historically, Merstham’s biggest defeat when they crashed out in the 1st Qualifying Round at home to Aldershot Town. Aldershot ran riot with an impressive eight goals to which Merstham could only reply with a token one. The next two years saw some improvement in their fortunes, 11th in 1998/99 and 13th in 1999/2000; after a disastrous start which saw them bottom at Christmas. In 1998/99 the Reserves reached the final of the Challenge Cup at Farnborough Town, but narrowly lost 0-1 to Ashford Town in a hard fought game. The 2000/01 season was Merstham’s most successful for nearly a decade. They reached the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, their best showing, and finished eighth in the league after being in the top six for most of the season. The 2002/03 season brought AFC Wimbledon into the league and their visit to Merstham attracted 1,582 fans, the club’s record home attendance. Unfortunately the visitors won 2-0. A successful application to the FA Stadia Fund enabled the club to build the new changing rooms and add a perimeter fence. ‘Silverware’ returned to Merstham in the 2004/05 season when they beat AFC Guildford (now Guildford City) 3-0 in the final of the Premier Challenge Cup held at Woking FC and they also won the East Surrey Hospitals Charity Cup with a victory over local rivals Redhill. Despite this a poor run of results as the season drew to a close saw them finished in 16th spot in the league. The 2005/06 was their best all round season for twenty years; Beaten finalists in the Premier Challenge Cup and ESHCC and runners up in the Combined Counties Premier Division. Also Merstham’s regular goalkeeper Colin Harris (now with Corinthian-Casuals) kept an incredible 19 clean sheets in the league making him the league’s top ‘keeper. However disappointment followed when they were denied promotion to the Ryman League because their stand was delivered two weeks late. Many of the players moved on during the close season all with the good wishes of the club; notably Captain Chris Boulter who joined promoted Godalming Town. For the 2006/07 season manager, Mick Sullivan, along with two new assistants Micky Stratford and Rhys Williams had to form a new line up for the team with the previous season’s Vice-Captain Craig Vernon stepping up as Captain and the addition of several new players, notably Michael Morgan from Redhill and the very promising Kwabena Agyei. However, despite the upheaval in the club and against many of the beliefs of management and supporters alike, Merstham surpassed their ‘best all round season for twenty years’ again finishing second in the league but this time with the added bonus of winning the Premier Challenge Cup by beating North Greenford Utd 4-1 in a hard fought final. In the league they notched up their highest tally of goals in living memory - a fantastic 100, nearly a quarter of which were scored by striker Kwabena Agyei. The Southern Combination Cup was shared between Merstham and Staines Lammas when a fixture date for the final could not be agreed. The final of the ESHCC against Redhill at Kiln Brow was put off until the start of the 2007/08 season when Merstham won 3-2. All in all an excellent and record breaking season for the club and for manager Mick Sullivan who will go down in the history of Merstham FC as their most successful manager to date. However, when many thought Merstham may have peaked, the 2007/08 season, Mick Sullivan’s seventh year in charge, brought the Club into a new era with a treble winning side, a fantastic run in the FA Vase and promotion to the Ryman sponsored Isthmian League South Division as they finally finished top of the league after two seasons as runners up. Despite losing on the opening day of the season away at Cove Merstham went on undefeated in the league for the rest of the season winning 35 times and drawing six for a total of 111 points and 114 goals with Kevin Lock and Kwabena Agyei scoring 53 between them. The dream of a Wembley final in the FA Vase fell short on the 1st March in the Quarter Final when they lost at home to Needham Market 2-3 in extra time in a game watched by a crowd of 841. Merstham successfully defended the Premier Challenge Cup beating Bedfont Green 4-2 in the final at Woking FC with two goals from Kwabena Agyei and one each from Chris Boulter and the 19-year-old Matt Francis who proved to be a real asset for the club. Probably the icing on the cake came when Merstham were re-instated into Surrey Senior Cup after Tooting & Mitcham and Kingstonian were removed for fielding ineligible players. In the semi-final they were pitched against local rivals Redhill, who had been winners on two previous occasions, at Moatside where they won 4-3 with the help of a hat-trick from Mark Simmons. The final was played at Imber Court, home of the Metropolitan Police FC, against Ryman League side Whyteleafe. On a top quality surface
Merstham’s passing skills paid off and they won 3-2 in extra time after being behind on two occasions. With promotion officially confirmed on 14th May 2008 Merstham left behind them many friends they have made during the 24 seasons they have spent in the Combined Counties League but with the hope of not returning. Adding to the success of the senior side the newly reformed ’A’ Team were entered into the Redhill & District League Division Three and they won the league title at the first attempt. 2008/09 saw Merstham’s first season in the Ryman League Division One South and after the euphoria of the previous season many thought that this would be a tough test for them and feared they may not survive at this level. Happy to disappoint these pessimists Merstham had an extremely good season finishing in a very creditable eighth place narrowly missing out on a play-off position. Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the season was in the defence of their Surrey Senior Cup title where they went out to Conference side Woking in the semi-final. The Merstham Ladies side had a great season winning their League and League Cup and finishing Runners Up in the Ryman sponsored La Senza Ladies Cup. The Merstham A Team gained their second promotion on the trot as Runners-Up in the Redhill & District League Division Two. However it was not until May that the club suffered a real shock when Manager Mick Sullivan announced that, after eight seasons at the helm, he was leaving the club for rival Ryman side Leatherhead citing that ‘he had taken Merstham as far as he could and needed a new challenge’. After several applications for the vacant post the Merstham Board announced that former Banstead Athletic Manager Graeme Banyard would be appointed as the new manager with immediate effect and that he was looking forward to the challenge. Further ‘bad’ news was to follow as Michael Morgan, Chris Boulter, Kwabena Agyei and Mark Simmons announced that they would be joining Sullivan at Leatherhead and Gavin Gordon would be joining his former Crowborough Athletic boss at Worthing. Merstham’s second season in the Ryman League went the way of many preceding sides who had found it far more difficult than their first. Banyard found himself in a difficult situation as the exodus of players continued with only skipper Craig Vernon, winger David Smith and veteran goalkeeper Ian Chatfield staying at Moatside. Many new players came and went as Merstham’s form took a turn for the worse. James Hancock and Gavin Gordon both returned to the fold mid-season and to the astonishment of many supporters Craig Vernon lost the Captaincy after two very successful years and was replaced by Wes Goggin who came to Moatside from Ashford Town (Middx). It wasn’t until the last quarter of the season that the team really seemed to settle but unfortunately it was too late and Banyard’s aspirations for a play-off spot was over. However if the improvements in the team continue there is every possibility that they can make a strong challenge in the 2010/11 season. Whereas the first team performances could be seen as average elsewhere in the Club things were very rosy. The Reserves finished a very creditable third in the Suburban League South Division narrowly missing out on promotion. The U18s won the Southern Youth League title with some fine displays of football which bodes well for the future of the senior teams. Both U17s sides won their respective league titles with the U17s ‘A’ doing a cup and league double. This was emulated by the U14s ‘A’ whose goal scoring duo of Dominic Fernee and Pat Lucas managed 28 goals between them. Add to that the U14s ‘C’ winning their league title and all in all it’s been a very reasonable season at Moatside. The 2010/11 Season will be remembered mainly for the resignation of Graeme Banyard and the recriminations that followed about the nature of his departure. Andy Martin took over as Caretaker Manager as Merstham slid towards a possible relegation slot with some very poor performances. Martin took over a very unfit side that hadn’t had any real training under Banyard and managed to keep the side in the Division despite being deducted a point. At a Board meeting in late April Martin was offered and accepted the post of Manager for the 2011/12 season. On a brighter note, at the Ryman League’s AGM in June 2011, Merstham were presented with the Fair Play Award for Division One South After just twenty games in charge Martin left the club and Antony Williams and Rob Smith took on the role as Caretaker Managers whilst the Club advertised for a new manager. On January 9th 2012, and after interviewing several candidates, the Board announced that former Bromley Town manager Hayden Bird would take up the post with immediate effect. Bird rang the changes bringing in several new players including David Graves who replaced Adam Moriarty as club captain. Merstham finished a creditable 9th place with a finishing run of seven games without a loss. The 2012/13 season saw many changes at the club notably the loss of the Reserves, A & B Teams, the Sunday Team and the U18s; the board citing financial reasons. This was Bird’s first full season in charge and it didn’t quite live up to his expectations with Merstham finishing 12th and without a noticeable run in any cup completion. With a minimal budget Bird again rang the changes for the 2013/14 season bringing in more
experienced players and the expectation of a play-off position. The 2013/14 season saw Merstham attain their highest place in the club’s history finishing seventh with their highest tally of points and goals since gaining promotion to the Ryman League. It was a proverbial season of two halves for the Moatsiders. At Christmas Merstham were languishing in 18th place with just 25 points from 21 games, however, with the return of Fabio Saraiva and the addition of the raw talent of Michael Abnett Merstham turned the tide during the wettest winter on record. After a humiliating 1-4 defeat at home to local rivals Chipstead, Merstham went on an incredible unbeaten 13-game league run, winning on 11 occasions and finally just missing out on the play-offs, finishing seventh. Tommy Hutchings deservedly won the Players and Supporters ‘Player of the Season’ awards. The 2014/15 season was to be the best in the Club’s history to date gaining promotion to the Ryman Premier Division by winning the play-offs in style and being runners up in the Surrey Senior Cup. Merstham finished fourth in the Ryman League Division One South scoring 107 goals and gaining 93 points. In the Play-Off Semi- Final it was all square at 0-0 at the end of extra time Merstham won 5-4 on penalties with keeper Brannon Daly making a match-winning save. In front of a crowd of 1465 Merstham gained promotion at Folkestone beating the home side 3-0 with goals from Taurean Roberts, Tutu Henriques and skipper Fabio Saraiva. Just four days later a tired looking Merstham lost 2-0 in the final of the Surrey Senior Cup to Metropolitan Police. A disappointment, yes, but their ultimate aim had been achieved. The 2015/16 season was to be yet another record breaking season for Merstham attaining their highest position in the ‘Football Pyramid’ finishing a very creditable 10th in their first Season in The Ryman Isthmian Premier League. This was helped by 20 goals from Charlie Penny and 14 from Fabio Saraiva who were both promptly offered a position at National League side Woking. The season finished on another high when they trounced Godalming Town 4-1 in the final of the Surrey Senior Cup. Another very successful season for Manager Hayden Bird and his team. So we come to Merstham’s second season in the Ryman Premier League and what a season this is turning out be with the Moatsiders reaching the ‘First Round Proper’ of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. They achieved this with some of the finest football ever seen at the Moatside; They beat East Preston (4-1), Colliers Wood Utd (2-1 in a replay), Thamesmead Town (5-1) and Ebbsfleet Utd (2-1) on the way to end up facing SkyBET League One side Oxford Utd. The loss of skipper Fabio Saraiva and Charlie Penny in the close season to National League side Woking was an obvious blow to Merstham but Manager Hayden Bird was determined to build on the success of the previous season. He brought in experience goalkeeper Phil Wilson who early in his career was at Oxford United. Hayden also signed Dan Bennett, Alex Addai and Xavier Vidal; Tom Kavanagh was given the skipper’s armband. Prolific goalscorer Charlie Penny returned to the Moatside after not getting regular football at Woking and scored twice in his first game back for Merstham. However an injury during the FA Cup game at home to Ebbsfleet United kept him side-lined for the rest of the season. The obvious highlight of the Season was facing Oxford United in the first proper which saw a record breaking crowd of 1920 watching Merstham at the Moatside on 5th November 2016. Unfortunately Merstham were no match for Oxford losing 5-0; a scoreline that somewhat flattered the League One side. After the euphoria of the cup run Merstham’s season took a downward trend losing games they should have easily won and the season finished with the Club escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth which was not helped by the loss of three points for fielding an eligible player earlier in the season. During the close season Manager Hayden Bird made whole sale changes to his squad; Assistant Manager Mick Sullivan, who left the club, was replaced by Merstham player/coach Tutu Henriques. 2017/18 saw us celebrate our 125th anniversary, finish 12th in the league and for the second time in four years win the Specsavers Surrey Senior Cup, beating Leatherhead 3-1 at Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane. The 2018/19 season saw big changes at the club. The club’s most successful Manager to date, Hayden Bird, after guiding the club to the play-off finals decided that he had taken the club as far as he could and made the decision to move on to local rivals Kingstonian FC. Former Tooting and Mitcham Manager Frank Wilson was appointed in June 2019 and having been left with no players set about building his own team including former Moatsiders Omar Folkes and Peter Wedgeworth. No one could predict the events that affected all football throughout the world as the 2019/20 season neared its conclusion. New Merstham Manager Frank Wilson had a baptism of fire as his team struggled to maintain their Premier League status and when the season was finally brought to an end, with all records being expunged, Merstham were fighting relegation and sat in 21st place. As everyone knows the devastating
Covid-19 global pandemic brought all live sport to an abrupt end and left Merstham and many other grass roots clubs pondering their future. Merstham finally returned to completive football in September 2020 as things slowly returned to some form of normality with Covid-19 restrictions in place. Manager Frank Wilson made it know he would like to carry on in charge and set about putting his squad together with the full backing of the Merstham Board of Directors. Written by Kevin Austen © Merstham Football Club Updated September 2020 First Team Honours Redhill & District League: Division Two Champions 1927 East Surrey Junior Cup: Winners 1930 Redhill & District League: Premier Division Champions 1934-35, 1935-36, 1949-50, 1950-51 Surrey Intermediate League: Champions 1952-53 Surrey Senior Charity Cup: Winners 1976-77 London Spartan Challenge Cup: Winners 1979-80 East Surrey Charities Cup: Winners 1980-81, 1998-99, 2004-05, 2006-07 Dan Air Class Elite Cup: Winners 1989-90 Surrey Veterans County Cup: Winners 1995-96 Premier Challenge Cup: Winners 2004-05, 2006-07, 2007-08 Runners-Up 2005-06 Combined Counties Premier Division Champions 2007-08 FA Vase: Quarter Finalists 2007-08 Surrey Senior Cup: Winners 2007-08, 2015-16, 2017-18 Ryman League Division One South Fair Play Award: Winners 2010-11 Ryman League Groundsman of the Year Runner Up 2013: Martin Burr Ryman League South Play-Off Winners 2014-15 Ryman Premier League Play-Off Runners Up 2018-19
STORMS Dudley, Eunice and Franklin may have proved profitable for, say, fencers or roofers but certainly not for cash-strapped Non-League football clubs. Five full days of heavy rain, high winds and even snow left Britain battered and bruised last week with a trial of destruction in its wake. Naturally, the fixture list was decimated up and down the country, while some clubs were left counting the cost of extensive damage caused to grounds and clubhouses. Perhaps the hardest hit, once again, were Tadcaster Albion. For the fourth time in seven years, the adjacent River Wharfe burst its banks with such ferocity that it took down most of the steel barrier on the far side of the Brewers’ Ings Lane ground, opening the floodgates for around 1.5 metres of water. This comes as a huge kick in the teeth for the North Yorkshire club who have played an integral part in the town’s Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme which was formed following the devastation of the floods in 2015. The clubhouse at Ings Lane was raised to prevent a repeat and that seemed to do the trick when floods struck again in 2020 and 2021. Not this time though with water ingress expected through the floorboards. As a result, Taddy are now back in limbo with the Environment Agency yet to sanction vital repair works before their next home game against Stocksbridge Park Steels on March 5. Another club who suffered a repeat deluge were Barton Rovers, who were hit by the effects of a major storm for the second time in five years. In February 2017, the Southern League Division One Central side’s Sharpenhoe Road home was battered by Storm Doris which sent a floodlight pylon crashing through the main stand, leaving Barton with a £9,000 repair bill. Last Friday, Storm Eunice blew the stand down again along with the club’s TV tower. It is estimated that
repairs this time round could cost the club around £20,000. Basford United’s Greenwich Avenue stadium suffered extensive wind damage last Friday, leaving them with an estimated repair bill of £10,000. Stands and turnstiles were damaged, with one roof destroyed, while exterior fences came down and gas, electricity and water supplies were disrupted. Perhaps the most harrowing sight of the weekend was the metal roof of the stand at Pagham FC being wrapped around a parked van in a nearby road with the entire structure ripped from its hinges. Trees at Egham Town’s Runnymede Stadium were felled and a stand destroyed, causing the postponement of their home game against Southall, while the away team’s dugout at Hartley Wintney flipped over the pitchside hoardings and onto its roof as their Green Lane ground was also hit. Meanwhile, Potters Bar Town have set up a GoFundMe page in order to help the club meet ground grading regulations, following extensive storm damage. A similar fundraising effort in March 2019 raised £5,000 towards the £50,000 improvement costs as the club just about made the deadline to maintain their Step 3 status. But 70pmh winds on Friday blew one of the new stands completely on its back, causing much damage, as well as to the Water Irrigation Canons, the Home Dugout and a Storage Unit. “Today, as a Community Club, we encourage the youth and contribute to the good health and comfort of those watching,” chairman Peter Waller said. “With more than 50 years at the club, we are devastated, after all the effort that went in three years ago. We can raise some of the cost, but we need to ask for help. Please support us if you can.” All this acts as a timely reminder as to the challenges that exist when running a Non-League football club and just how vulnerable they can be. In times like this, communities are at their strongest, rallying together in support of a vital asset. It shows nothing should ever be taken for granted.
Chairman - Haringey Borough FC
This afternoon we welcome all from Merstham in a game of some significance. Whilst both teams are not
quite in a relegation battle the dreaded third from bottom position whereby relegation could become a
reality is little too close for the comfort of both teams. Tom will have more to say about that but for my part
I think that as a Club we could certainly suffer a major setback if we did suffer such a fate. With a substantial
increase in our fan base this season I am looking towards an opportunity to reach the next level and increase
the profile of the Club locally and attract even more fans and hence all of our plans will certainly be derailed if
the worst case scenario became a reality. I personally feel we are more than good enough to win the required
number of games, we need to beat those around us and we have a number of games to play against that
contingent. We need to play better than we did in our last home game where by a quirk of fate we were
5-0 down at half time for the second time this season with today’s visitors inflicting the first!!! I have been
used to defeats and some heavy ones but over the past few seasons they have been few and far between
and I believed those days had gone for good. The recent form in truth hasn’t been too bad and the Cup wins
have given us what I hope is a renewed confidence that something worthwhile may yet be achieved this
season. We now know our opponents for the semi final of the London Senior cup will be Hendon FC away
on Tuesday 15th March at Silver Jubilee Park and we are in the quarter finals of the Isthmian League Velocity
trophy after an excellent win last Tuesday at Brightlingsea Regent. Tosin Olufemi cementing his place as the
Club’s top scorer this season with the solitary goal midway through the second half. With the under 23’s on
the verge of securing the Isthmian Development League title there is still much to play for this season. We
will need all the support you can give us to ensure we end up with a very worthwhile successful season- get
behind the boys, sing your hearts out as usual and most importantly whatever happens enjoy the experience
and the game.
Aki Achillea - Chairman Haringey Borough F.C
Manager - Haringey Borough FC
We go into today’s match off the back of a good midweek win and I was pleased by the boys who performed
well on a difficult surface. The Cups this season have become more important than previously, as Aki has
said we are in the semi finals of one Cup and the quarter finals of another and that has given us renewed
purpose. League points of course are the bread and butter and we need a few more yet and the sooner we
can get them the less pressure we will place ourselves under. Today we are certainly on a mission to avenge
the defeat suffered earlier this season against Merstham when we were obliterated in an opening half hour
and we were somewhat fortunate to only be 5 down at halftime. I didn’t think I would see that again but
that first half performance was repeated in our last home game against title chasing Bishops Stortford. I
changed the team around in my experiment to see what players could play where. I had different players
in unusual positions and I have to say it backfired spectacularly. I won’t be doing that again for a while! I
am trying to put together a team for next season and the youngsters are going to be thrust in to see if they
can perform at this level. I have to balance those interests with the need to secure our place in this division
next season. Today will be a key match. Our opponents went on a run of league wins after that victory last
October but have struggled since then. They too will be fighting to preserve their League status so I expect
nothing but a tough game, I believe our boys have the strength of character required to play well in such
a pressure game and with your support I hope we will be able to secure the points we need. Your amazing
support is required again and I hope you will be in full voice and able to push the players to get the result
that we need .Be respectful whatever happens and show the boys in your own special way how much you
support them - Come on Boro!
Tom Loizou - Manager Haringey Borough F.CTHE SECRETARY’S MUSINGS This afternoon we take the opportunity to welcome the players Officials and supporters of MERSTHAM FC to Coles Park for our seventh home League match of 2022. This will be the 6th meeting of the Clubs those to date (having been restricted in number by Covid abandonments) finished:- 26 Nov 2018 Borough 2 Merstham 0 (match abandoned due to power outage) 29 Dec 2018 Borough 2 Merstham 2 9 Mar 2019 Merstham 0 Borough 0 17 Dec 2019 Merstham 1 Borough 0 16 Oct 2021 Merstham 5 Borough 0 Our match at the Moatside earlier this season is certainly among the contenders for our worst performance of the season as we shipped five goals in the first 36 minutes. We lost by the same score at Folkestone Invicta but at least made them wait until the second half to reach that total. Even Bishop’s Stortford, who inflicted defeat by a margin one goal greater in our last home game had to wait until the stroke of half time before chalking up their 5th. So we have never beaten the Moatsiders - probably thanks to local shortcomings in the electricity supply – and have every reason to want to put that record to bed today to eradicate the embarrassments of our earlier visit this season and our last home match slaughter. Merstham are the only current Premier Division side we have never beaten. Whatever the outcome we hope all present will have a safe journey home after witnessing an enjoyable afternoons sport. We welcome too, of course, our Match Officials who are Kurt Bartlett in the middle assisted by George Younger and Terence Dawkins And so to the circumstances of the last home game which saw us lose a competitive home match at Coles Park by a margin of 6 or more for the first time since the final day of season 2009/10 when Hanwell Town ran in 7 without reply in a Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division game. The Bishops made an indifferent start to the season and we might well have done better than drawing at their ground by 1-1 on 16th October but after that they embarked on a 20 match run of League games in which they suffered defeat only at the Bridge Road fortress of equally formidable Horrnchurch. But for the run including too many draws they could well have been League leaders by now and could yet gain automatic promotion if they put together a run of wins in their final games. Their win and the surprise defeat of Enfield Town at Wingate & Finchley lifted them to second place in the table 6 points behind Worthing who also have a game in hand and their goal haul against us brings their goal difference to just four less than Worthing’s. They seem a near certainty for at least a play off spot and it is very probable that we may not enjoy tussles with them next season. Sadly we now seem to have swapped our penchant for conceding very late goals for that of conceding very early ones. After the game deciding third minute concession at Potters Bar it was game over by the tenth minute as we had conceded 3 by then. Nothing must be taken away from “The Bishops” who worked relentlessly and as a team throughout and well deserved their victory but I think they would not disagree with the statement that we were to a large extent the authors of our own misfortune as individual errors came thick and fast and were what a tennis commentator would likely describe as being of the unforced variety. Although a comeback was outside the realm of realistic possibilities we did salvage some pride with a much improved display in the second half and it was gratifying that, unlike at Potters Bar, we forced their ‘keeper into some fine saves including a really superlative tip over. But it was to be Stortford who scored the only goal of the half with a neat unfussy finish at the end of a long run through when we had been on the attack. Our scheduled game last Saturday away to Cray Wanderers was postponed because of storm damage and the safety concerns of Bromley FC where Cray are ground-sharers. That game will be re-scheduled, probably for Wednesday March 23rd Last Tuesday we made the long trip to Brightlingsea Regent, home of one of the most hospitable Clubs in the League with fine off-field facilities, for our “Last 16” Velocity Cup tie (ie the League Cup). Since our re- incarnation as an Isthmian club in 2015 we had never won a League Cup match. 4 defeats in 4 in the first match played with 2 seasons lost to Covid. In our four earlier mid-eighties Isthmian seasons we did relatively well with 3 wins and 4 losses. The crowd of 83 certainly included a disproportionate number of our supporters
compared with the percentage which an away Club might reasonably be expected to bring to such a fixture. Needless to say they made themselves heard and “Bell End” Nick’s take on the proceedings follows:- I’m not sure given the choice of away venue on a Tuesday night Brightlingsea would be near the top of most Boro fans list but that was our fate for a 4th Round Velocity Cup tie. Not that it’s a bad ground or isn’t a happy hunting ground for Boro but the lack of midweek transport and what feels like a never-ending road trip means its one of those occasions where it’s an early start knowing you’ll get back late. With Jorge and Andronicus suspended it was clear that there would be a few changes to the team, we wondered with the U23’s postponed the night before if there would be the opportunity for some of those players to come in and prove their talent, as it was the team was mainly 1st team squad players and certainly stronger than we probably envisaged on the journey to the game. Early signs in the game were encouraging Boro passed the ball around well on a bobbly pitch, with Tosin particularly effective down the left, despite having the majority of the ball and having numerous free kicks from some robust tackling, efforts on goals were generally high or wide. The best effort of the half came on the stroke of half time from a corner routine that must have been a throwback from the Melrose training ground, Adam Morgan screaming for Bobson to hover on the edge of the penalty area and then drilling a low corner out to him which was volleyed just wide. 0-0 at half time but all the talk was we were doing ok. The second half started positively and how we didn’t score almost immediately when Narcis (I think?) crossed low and hard into the penalty box inviting for it to touched in, was a mystery, one of those where you find yourself shouting “it’s gotta be” when you see it travelling into the box. At the other end we were defending really well and impressively forcing them to turn backwards whenever they got close to our goal. The moment that decided the tie came in the 73rd minute when following Boro pressure and various Boro players trying to find space to have a shot, the ball struck the arm of a Brightlingsea defender and the referee had no hesitation and pointed to the spot. Up stepped top scorer Tosin who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and Boro lead. When at the game it was difficult not to think that we were under the cosh for the last 15 minutes but on reflection Brightlingsea didn’t really create anything of note and with them pushing forward and Boro playing on the counter attack there was more chance of us making it 2-0 then them 1-1. The final whistle was greeted with jubilation and following the Potters Bar and Bishops Stortford games it was great to see a win and a win that hopefully gives great confidence. Credit must go to the spine of the team all of whom have been in and around the team recently but not necessarily regulars, Alfie Marigilani in goal, didn’t have a lot to do but what he did he did well. Sam Cook, carried the ball well out of defence well and was solid. Samuel Owusu, was really strong in possession and won the ball back numerous times to break up any momentum, and finally Narcis-Florin Filip, watching his effort and commitment to chase down everything made me tired watching him, the pitch didn’t help him but if you see a player giving it their all for the Boro, you can’t help but get behind them, want them to do well and break out into song! Final score Brightlingsea Regent 0 Borough 1 Our Quarter final opponents are not yet known as we have been drawn at home to the winner of the outstanding Bowers & Pitsea v Cheshunt last 16 tie which will not be played until 10th March. So the date of our quarter final tie is at the moment unknown. The other quarter final ties are :- Folkestone Invicta v Barking Horsham v Haywards Heath Town Margate v Carshalton Athletic Hendon and Dulwich Hamlet played their outstanding London Senior Cup Quarter Final tie that same evening and we now know that it is Hendon we will visit in the semi-final as they were penalty shoot out winners following a 3-3 draw. That tie will take place at Silver Jubilee Park on Tuesday 15th March. The winner will face the survivor from Erith Town, Barking, Dartford or Brentford “B” in the Final Are we safe from relegation? Probably yes. With only two definitely going down.and the bottom two Clubs having only 18 and 19 points we should avoid those two spots. But there is a risk of being dragged into the 3rd from bottom points per game lottery (the 2 third from bottom Clubs in the 4 Step 3 Leagues with the
lowest points per game statistic go down) as we have dropped to 16th following Potters Bar Town’s 2-1 win over Kingstonian last Tuesday. We now have 32 points and the clubs in the 14th to 20th positions have 33 33 32(us) 30 30 27 27 points. Mesrtham are one of the 30s and have a game in hand on us so the importance of todays game is obvious. We have games to come against 4 of them, including todays. With 12 games to play (including todays) we now have 32 points and from our last 12 League matches we collected 13 points so if we carry on in the same vein a total of 45 points should be more than enough. It would have been In the last completed season 2018/19 which was also the first following the Premier Divisions reduction to 22 teams. But we do have some tough games to come, with our last 2 home games being against Cheshunt and Folkestone Invicta, both then very likely to be desperately chasing play-off place points. And a visit to probable Champions Worthing is also incorporated into a difficult April programme. So no room for complacency or over-confidence and we must improve on our rather disappointing record against teams that are not really in contention for a play off spot. In truth there are few teams who are not either seeking such success or looking to stave off relegation,. Are we in with a chance of making the play offs ? Mathematically yes – but sadly its not going to happen. Our maximum points total is now 68 and it would need an astonishing multi-team collapse (as well as our own 100% success rate) among the 15 clubs above us for at least 5 of them not to exceed that total. In the last completed season the 5th placed team totalled 70 points. As for our other teams, the Under 23s are one win away from the Development North Division Championship following their 3-0 win against Potters Bar Town at Coles Park on Valentines day and were frustrated when their chance of clinching the title at Bury Town last Monday was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. That match is not as yet re-scheduled so it seems likely that our next chance to secure it will be this coming Thursday when they visit Potters Bar Town - not normally a very happy hunting ground for us as we know all too well; but it will make it possible for our supporters to be present in numbers to cheer them to victory and the Bell End boys are already relishing that unexpected opportunity. It is just possible that we might become Champions in the meantime should our only rivals, Bowers & Pitsea, lose at home to Tilbury this coming Tuesday but that is a rather unlikely scenario. It is of comfort to know that if we come unstuck at Potters Bar we will still have the opportunity to clinch the title at Bury St. Edmunds. With 5 games to play the Under 18s look destined for 3rd or 4th spot in the table for their hopes of anything better disappeared last Wednesday when they lost their penultimate game at Hendon by 6-2. It may be that Hendon will be crowned Divisional Champions at our ground on 8th March unless we beat them which would give Woodford Town the chance to pip them on goal difference by winning all their remaining games. The Women’s last hope for glory was not helped by their League Cup draw which will see them visit Needham Market Town in the quarter final following Needham Market’s surprise 2-1 win at Luton Town last Sunday after being behind at the interval. Borough drew their last game 3-3 at Luton on February 6th and have not played since, nor will they do so tomorrow, but will be in action on Sunday 6th March when they visit Bedford. Needham Market will provide a formidable Cup challenge as they are runaway leaders of Division One North and average over 4 goals per game.
NEXT FIRST TEAM HOME GAME
SATURDAY MARCH 12th 3pm
v LEWES
(Isthmian League - Premier Division)
OTHER TEAMS HOME GAMES BEFORE THE NEXT HOME GAME
Tuesday March 1st UNDER 18s v Potters Bar Town Under 18s (League) 7.45pm
Tuesday March 8th UNDER 18s v Hendon Under 18s (League) 7.45pm
NEXT FIRST TEAM AWAY GAMES
TUESDAY MARCH 1st 7.45pm
v CORINTHIAN CASUALS
(Isthmian League - Premier Division)
At King George’s Field, Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7NA
Direct trains leave Waterloo for Tolworth at 17 and 47 minutes past the hour and call at
Vauxhall 3 minutes later. Journey time - half an hour. Fifteen minute walk to ground.
FOLLOWED BY
SATURDAY 5th MARCH 3 pm
v CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
(Isthmian League – Premier Division)
At The War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton, SM5 2PN
Direct trains from Victoria to Carshalton at 11, 25, 41 & 55 minutes past the hour.
Approx. half our journey then short walk to Stadium)
OTHER TEAMS AWAY GAMES BEFORE NEXT HOME GAME
Thursday March 3rd UNDER 23s away to Potters Bar Town Under 23s (League) 7.45pm
Sunday March 6th WOMEN away to Bedford (League) 2pmYou can also read
